Protected Species in the Gulf of Mexico - NMFS' Southeast Region ...
Protected Species in the Gulf of Mexico - NMFS' Southeast Region ...
Protected Species in the Gulf of Mexico - NMFS' Southeast Region ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Threatened Nearshore <strong>Species</strong><br />
GULF STURGEON<br />
The <strong>Gulf</strong> sturgeon is a<br />
threatened species. This species<br />
represents one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oldest<br />
l<strong>in</strong>eages <strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g fish. They are<br />
an anadromous fish that<br />
migrates from mar<strong>in</strong>e habitats<br />
<strong>in</strong>to freshwater rivers to<br />
spawn. They reside <strong>in</strong> rivers<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g summer and <strong>in</strong> mar<strong>in</strong>e<br />
environments dur<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>ter.<br />
<strong>Gulf</strong> sturgeon have rows <strong>of</strong> armored plates along <strong>the</strong>ir sides and<br />
back, called scutes, and a vacuum-like mouth to forage on benthic<br />
<strong>in</strong>vertebrates. Sturgeon are light colored to dark brown and have<br />
a white under-belly. They can grow to 8 feet <strong>in</strong> length and weigh<br />
200 pounds.